Re: [UC] No Smoking Bill - your brilliance
In a message dated 3/18/2005 12:36:50 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: This is something I just made up, and I think it's brilliant. Well Lis (to distinguish you from Liz C.): To anyone who pays attention to you, it is obvious you are a genius. However, the above shameless self promotion isbeneath your station in life. I find it amusing so many cigarette junky liberals complain about the dumbing down of EPA emission regs, but demand their right to poison themselves and those who are round about them. As an anti-smoking person, I believe it is the right of a proprietor to establish their own smoking policies. Isn't that what rugged individualism and bootstrapping is all about? From the shadows,not the dark-side, I remain your friendly provocateur for good. Ciao, Craig
[UC] Beating a Dead Horse (or a White Dog)
Considering that this issue has been tabled (probably indefinitely) because people cannot make up their minds on what should be or should not be included in the ban, don't people on this list understand that you are beating a dead issue? I mean, let's start arguing over the fact Bush is our President, or having the beautiful night we had last night ordered for tonight too. My point is that we should focus our energies on things we can accomplish, things we do have a say in (to my knowledge they aren't taking calls or emails about this ban still), and things that have not happened yet. Yes we can disagree. That's why I moved into this neighborhood: so much diversity, so many people interested in the environment they live in, and yet people still wind up doing great things to improve the area. We all have the same common goal, don't we? Thought for the day: Focus on the now anddon't worry about tomorrow. Dan Myers215.901.0899Certified Massage Practitioner---"Healing is related to our capacity to experience and embracelife as it is. Often this means accepting the unacceptable,making peace with disintegration, and loving whatever we face."-Rachel Harris, MD - Original Message - From: Vincent/Roger To: University City List ; Pfsni Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 9:01 AM Subject: [UC] No Smoking Bill: Abbraccio, White Dog Naomi at The White Dog is a great friend, and I wish I could come up with the type of material that promots Abbraccio as well as she promotes her place, no matter what the subject is at hand. But I think that the White Dog is being disingenuous over this issue. If you really support the ban why wait for the city to tell you okay? The point that Vincent was trying to make, which I think everyone, Naomi included, missed is that every establishment should have the right to determine their own policy and not be dictated to by law. The subject on the table is the bill to ban smoking at all bars and restaurants in Philadelphia, indoors and out. And if you wade through all of the other discourse, the main point, for Naomi and The White Dog is economic well-being: can we make it pay? Let Naomi say otherwise, but the reason they allow smoking is that they and their staff want the money, and they're worried that customers would go down the street to other bars! (To quote: Our late night customers threatened to go elsewhere if smoking was banned entirely and our staff (many of whom are non-smokers) were worried that, without customers, their incomes would be drastically reduced.) Just like at The White Dog, there are bars near Abbraccio (including Gojjo and Dahlak) that allow smoking; in our case we elected to be non-smoking over the objections of our staff; in their case, they went with the urges of their staff. We at Abbraccio repeat that: We do NOT allow smoking indoors at Abbraccio (and The White Dog does). We are AGAINST the no-smoking bill (while The White Dog is in favor). We believe that the bill is poorly written, in particular the wording about outdoor dining/drinking areas and that it does not level any playing field but raises a great deal of questions over compliance and enforcement. (Plus we think there are already too many laws.) I could go on for a long while with stories about how difficult it has been to survive for more than 25 years (more years than The White Dog!), about all things weve done for our employees, and about how we are socially conscious. There are some very interesting stories! If we only had a better publicity machine, we could make more people aware of them! Roger Harman Abbraccio 215 PASTA-47 www.abbracciorestaurant.com
[UC] Abbraccio, White Dog
Vincent/Roger wrote: "Let Naomi say otherwise, but the reason they allow smoking is that they and their staff want the money..." Running a business like the White Dog isnot entirelyabout the money any more than Abbraccio is entirely about the money. All businesses are somewhat about money.The White Dog wanted to keep loyal customers and loyal employees happy, so besides the money, there is the idea that a community institution is doing its best to serve the community and the community's wishes. I'm really surprised you'd write something like that about a fellow mission-based business. The money issue is a no-brainer, but there's more to both your restaurants than that. ELISABETH DUBINHillier ARCHITECTUREOne South Penn Square, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3502 | T 215 636- | F 215 636-9989 | hillier.com From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Vincent/RogerSent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 9:02 AMTo: University City List; PfsniSubject: [UC] No Smoking Bill: Abbraccio, White Dog Naomi at The White Dog is a great friend, and I wish I could come up with the type of material that promots Abbraccio as well as she promotes her place, no matter what the subject is at hand. But I think that the White Dog is being disingenuous over this issue. If you really support the ban why wait for the city to tell you okay? The point that Vincent was trying to make, which I think everyone, Naomi included, missed is that every establishment should have the right to determine their own policy and not be dictated to by law. The subject on the table is the bill to ban smoking at all bars and restaurants in Philadelphia, indoors and out. And if you wade through all of the other discourse, the main point, for Naomi and The White Dog is economic well-being: can we make it pay? Let Naomi say otherwise, but the reason they allow smoking is that they and their staff want the money, and they're worried that customers would go down the street to other bars! (To quote: Our late night customers threatened to go elsewhere if smoking was banned entirely and our staff (many of whom are non-smokers) were worried that, without customers, their incomes would be drastically reduced.) Just like at The White Dog, there are bars near Abbraccio (including Gojjo and Dahlak) that allow smoking; in our case we elected to be non-smoking over the objections of our staff; in their case, they went with the urges of their staff. We at Abbraccio repeat that: We do NOT allow smoking indoors at Abbraccio (and The White Dog does). We are AGAINST the no-smoking bill (while The White Dog is in favor). We believe that the bill is poorly written, in particular the wording about outdoor dining/drinking areas and that it does not level any playing field but raises a great deal of questions over compliance and enforcement. (Plus we think there are already too many laws.) I could go on for a long while with stories about how difficult it has been to survive for more than 25 years (more years than The White Dog!), about all things weve done for our employees, and about how we are socially conscious. There are some very interesting stories! If we only had a better publicity machine, we could make more people aware of them! Roger Harman Abbraccio 215 PASTA-47 www.abbracciorestaurant.com
Re: [UC] HOME OWNERS INSURANCE HELP
In a message dated 3/19/05 4:09:30 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I am looking for a new home owners insurance company. My current carrier Ohio Casualty group is getting outrageous with their premium. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated, my premium jumped 800.00 this year from 1700.00 to 2500.00. Thanks John Valentino Have you tried the Abrams Insurance agency, John Abrams, 215-884-1885? While not LOCATED in University City, this agency has been providing insurance to our neighborhood for more years than I've been selling real estate here, and that's going on 22 years! Through all of the bad times, when University City was redlined by other companies, the Abrams folks found companies to insure houses and rental properties and cars in our zip codes. And they still do, at fairly reasonable prices. And some other companies are still redlining us. If a company you are asking for a quote starts asking if your roof is flat, or if your insurance carrier suddenly wants you to replace your entire sidewalk, or make other major changes, they are probably trying to get rid of you. It's illegal, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Other thoughts: what is your deductible? Make it as high as you can. If you wouldn't report small losses, for fear of being non-renewed the next year, be sure you're not insuring for them! What is the largest amount of your own money you'd be willing able to spend on a loss? $1000? $2500? $3500? $5000? The larger the deductible, the smaller your premium. But don't underinsure the house - that will result in an insurer only providing a partial settlement if you have a loss, even if the loss is well within the amount of insurance you are carrying. You need to carry insurance for a number very close to the REPLACEMENT COST of your property. Not the purchase price, the replacement cost. The insurer will help you determine that by asking size, building materials, etc. Melani Lamond
Re: [UC] HOME OWNERS INSURANCE HELP
On 19 Mar, 2005, at 16:07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I am looking for a new home owners insurance company. My current carrier Ohio Casualty group is getting outrageous with their premium. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated, my premium jumped 800.00 this year from 1700.00 to 2500.00. The jump in premium can relate to many different things, not the least of which happens to be replacement cost which is not un-related to market prices. (That is to say, what coverage you have and all those good things.) It can also reflect claims experience, both yours and the neighborhood... that is to say, the company's overall experience in any given area. We have worked through a broker for years who has moved us from one company to another every couple of years. A good insurance broker, like a financial planner, works for you, not the company. Some of the changes reflect the fact that certain companies have decided they don't want to write insurance in a particular area and therefore jack up the premiums to discourage renewals. Others reflect consolidation in the Insurance industry itself. Our last two changes were a direct result of one company being purchased by another, and the new company's underwriting principles kicking in at renewal time. Right now we're with Travelers. T.T.F.N. William H. Magill [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] HOME OWNERS INSURANCE HELP
In a message dated 3/19/05 6:27:30 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Some of the changes reflect the fact that certain companies have decided they don't want to write insurance in a particular area and therefore jack up the premiums to discourage renewals. Insurance companies have to file rate increases with the state, based on their loss experience, and the state has to approve the rates, so they can't raise them to redline an individual address. As Bill says, a company may be saying that an insured has to increase the AMOUNT OF COVERAGE, and therefore the cost, if s/he is underinsured, but from the amount John Valentino said he was paying, it didn't sound like he was underinsured. Perhaps his company just did file, and receive, a large rate increase. To get out of "particular areas," that's where the flat roof question comes in: a company's "underwriting guidelines" will say they don't take flat roofswell, where do you find houses with flat roofs? In cities. Or they'll say "no knob and tube wiring"..well, there are very few houses in UC that have NO knob and tube wiring, not even in the attic or basement. Anyway, the answers to questions like that enable them to get out of writing policies they don't want - old houses built of high-quality materials, in cities. And if they already are insuring your house and they want to get rid of you, then they'll send someone out to look at the outside of your house and see if they can find something wrong to ask you to fixI once managed an out-of-the-country friend's house where, the first year, the insurance company asked for new sidewalks, so we did that. The next year they asked for replacement railing on a second floor deck, so we moved the insurance somewhere else. So, they got rid of the house they didn't want. Melani Lamond Melani Lamond
[UC] Rally tomorrow - anyone going
Hi, Is anyone going to the rally tomorrow and driving? Thanks.
[UC] Rally tomorrow at 2 at 4th and Arch
Hi, Is anyone going to the rally tomorrow and driving? I am talking about the rally at 4th and arch at 2. Thanks. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
Re: [UC] King Sunny Ade in Philadelphia
King Sunny Ade live is one of the great concert experiences . Great music, great dancing. His music is gorgeous, flowing, and accessible. I am sorry I will be out of town for this. Bruce Dorpalen Pass the word onto our African friends and world music lovers in West Philly... If you see King Sunny, you know you're going to dance all night long - Trey Anastasio of Phish Next Saturday night, March 26th, Philadelphia will be home to a historic concert event when King Sunny Ade, known as the Minister of Enjoyment in Nigeria, shares the stage with fellow Nigerian Prince Obi Osadebe for an all night throwdown, African style. Ade is the reigning king of juju, the traditional party sound of his tribe, the Yoruba. Osadebe, son of Chief Stephen Osadebe, is the heir to the throne of highlife, which is the music of his tribe, the Igbo. Both juju and highlife are party music and lead to the irresistible urge to shake it. The trick is, the Igbo and the Yoruba have had a bloody history, enduring years of civil war, and this tour is the first time that such prominent juju and highlife figures have ever performed together, anywhere in the world. This event will take place in the ballroom of the beautiful Legendary Blue Horizon near Temple University and next door to the Freedom Theater. You will enjoy a unique opportunity to experience a real Nigerian night party. The show will start at 10 PM and will continue until 3 AM complete with on stage tipping called spraying and traditional praise singing of the tipper. Most venues are not equipped to accommodate audience participation of this level, but the Blue Horizon is a most accommodating host. The Blue Horizon, noted as a historic arena for local, regional, and national boxing events, also has a large ballroom, beautifully designed with ornate balconies and cathedral style ceilings. We are excited to feature this historic Philadelphia site as a unique venue for a unique event. The Blue Horizon's staff provides extensive professional security and convenient parking in their own private lot adjacent to the venue. Free on-street parking may also be available. To learn more about the tour and for tickets, visit http://www.ksa2005.com Remaining tickets will be available at the door the night of the event. A Royal Night Party Celebration King Sunny Ade Prince Obi Osadebe Saturday, March 26th Doors @ 9pm / Showtime @ 10pm The Blue Horizon 1314 North Broad Street Philadelphia (215) 763-0500 $29.95 / 21+ *** LISTEN TO WHAT 1340-AM on Tuesday night at 10pm to hear a live interview with King Sunny Ade and friends *** __ This email has been scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email __ -- End of Forwarded Message You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html. You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named UnivCity. To unsubscribe or for archive information, see http://www.purple.com/list.html.
[UC] Slate Article: The Age of Missing Information
Title: E-mail the best policyThe Age of Missing InformationThe Bush administration's campaign against openness.By Steven AftergoodPosted Thursday, March 17, 2005, at 4:23 AM PTThe government does a remarkable job of counting the number of national security secrets it generates each year. Since President George W. Bush entered office, the pace of classification activi! ty has increased by 75 percent, said William Leonard in March 2 congressional testimony. His Information Security Oversight Office oversees the classification system and recorded a rise from 9 million classification actions in fiscal year 2001 to 16 million in fiscal year 2004.Yet an even more aggressive form of government information control has gone unenumerated and often unrecognized in the Bush era, as government agencies have restricted access to unclassified information in libraries, archives, Web sites, and official databases. Once freely available, a growing number of these sources are now barred to the public as "sensitive but unclassified" or "for official use only." Less of a goal-directed policy than a bureaucratic reflex, the widespread clampdown on formerly public information reflects a largely inarticulate concern about "security." It also accords neatly with! the Bush administration's preference for unchecked executive ! authorit y.No comprehensive catalog of deleted information exists, which is part of the problem. What follows is a representative selection of categories of data that have been withdrawn from public access in the Bush years, with reflections on what they mean.Department of Defense Telephone Directory. The Pentagon phone book is a useful tool for reporters, students of defense policy, or others who might wish to contact the Pentagon or gauge the size and shape of the bureaucracy. Anyone could buy it at the Government Printing Office Bookstore until 2001, when it was marked "for official use only." A GPO Bookstore notice advises that it is no longer for sale to the public.Questioned about the change, a Defense Department official spoke vaguely of "security concerns." This is hard to swallow, since other agencies have failed to follow su! it. The Department of Energy, for example, handles information and materials as sensitive as any in government, and it publishes its telephone and e-mail directory on its Web site. Why was this new wall erected between the public and its government?Los Alamos Technical Report Library. In 2002, the Los Alamos National Laboratory removed from public access its unclassified technical report library, which contained thousands of unclassified Los Alamos technical reports written over a half century. Many are highly specialized studies, comprehensible only to experts. In some cases, although unclassified, they bear directly and uncomfortably on the technologies of nuclear weapons production. But most of them are fundamental studies of materials science, metallurgy, physics, and engineering pursued by the lab over decades.While a selective re-evaluation and withdrawal of individual reports might! have been warranted on nonproliferation grounds, Los Alamos e! lected t o remove them all. "The resource you are requesting is not offered to the public," says a Web notice. An index of many of the withdrawn reports, and some of the reports themselves, are available from the Federation of American Scientists. Historical Records at the National Archives. Worried that sensitive information may have been improperly declassified in the late 1990s, government agencies took to scrubbing public records at the National Archives and elsewhere, pulling untold thousands of public records for "review" and possible reclassification. Many 30- or 50-year-old archival collections are a shadow of what they were just a few years ago.On a recent visit to the National Archives, American University historian Anna Nelson recalled, "I found four boxes of Nixon documents full of nothi! ng but withdrawal cards," signifying records that had been removed. In another collection of Johnson records concerning the 1965 intervention in the Dominican Republic, "I found a box of 55 withdrawal cards."Not all archive withdrawals are unwarranted. For instance, documents containing classified nuclear-weapons design information were discovered in otherwise declassified records collections, as this recent DOE report on inadvertent disclosures indicates. But the scope of current withdrawals goes beyond what's necessary and poses arbitrary obstacles to historical research."Orbital Elements" and Launch Dates. The U.S. Air Force records the orbits of Earth satellites in its "orbital elements" database. For nearly 20 years, it has made the database available to the public through NASA. But beginning at the end of this month, it will be subject to! new government restrictions on distribution, including restri! ctions o n any analysis of the underlying data."This is a crisis," wrote David Finkleman in a letter to Space
